The bizarre annual tradition which is in its ninth year began as a small prank in New York almost sixteen years ago, and has now spread to more than 660 cities – but Londoners appear to have taken it to a whole new level.
More than 400 Londoners braved frosty conditions on Sunday afternoon when temperatures plunged to a chilly 3C. The event’s founders said the bizarre tradition was launched to simply make people laugh on their commutes.
Improv Everywhere, the self-styled New York-based prank collective, said: “The idea behind the No Pants Subway Ride is simple: Random passengers board a subway car at separate stops in the middle of winter without pants.
“The participants behave as if they do not know each other, and they all wear winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. The only unusual thing is their lack of pants.” London’s Stiff Upper Lip Society who organised the event encouraged participants to “sit in the car as they normally would” while keeping a straight face.
The brave group met at Westminster for 3 pm, riding on tube trains for hours, before enjoying an after-party in Wardour Street, Soho. Groups were snapped exposing their bare legs as they casually sat on trains.
Describing the event on Facebook, the organisers wrote: “Participants will be organised into groups, and will walk to a nearby station. “When told to by your group leader, remove your trousers, and put them into your backpack.
“You can wear fun underwear if you like, but nothing that screams out, ‘I wore this because I’m doing a silly stunt.'” Last year, 300 Londoners took part in the stunt which usually takes place in January.
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